Climbing miniature rose plant

ABSTRACT

The subject of the present disclosure is a new and distinct variety of hybrid miniature rose plant characterized by the red color of buds and flowers and further identified by the climbing or &#34;rambler&#34; habit of growth.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of hardy, climbing (ground cover) type rose plant of the miniature class; the variety being primarily characterized--as to novelty--by medium to dark red buds and flowers which in general color effect are similar to Magic Dragon, climbing miniature, not patented.

The variety is further characterized by:

The abundance of flowers borne in clusters of 3 to 5 or more and the repeat flowering habit.

Little or no fragrance.

A plant which is vigorous, of rambling growth and spreading shape with glossy small foliage with pointed leaflets; the buds and flowers being similar in form to Orange Triumph (polyantha--not patented), but smaller in size.

The plant, which has a normal height of 12-14 inches and a spread of 5 to 7 feet or more across, can easily be maintained at lesser size by occasional trimming.

A plant which grows and blooms satisfactorily outdoors; is good for growing in tubs or large pots; is especially good as a ground cover or low climber on a trellis or fence and make a very attractive specimen when budded high (5-6 feet) and grown as a "weeping" tree rose.

The present variety of miniature rose was originated by me at Sequoia Nursery located at Visalia, Calif., under conditions of careful control and observation, as a cross between Dortmund (climber--not patented) as the seed parent and Little Chief (miniature--not patented) as the pollen parent.

Subsequent to origination of the variety I successfully asexually reproduced it at Sequoia Nursery, located as aforesaid, by budding as well as by cuttings; the reproductions having run true in all respects.

The color photographs illustrate the variety (1) growing as a weeping tree (standard) (one year top budded at height of five feet), and (2) a close-up showing foliage, buds and flowers.

Referring now specifically to the new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant, the following is a detailed description thereof in outline; all major color plate identifications being by reference to the British Colour Council Horticultural Colour Chart, except where common terms of color definition are employed.

Type: Hardy; vigorous, low spreading growth (rambler type); seedling; outdoors; garden decoration.

Class: Climbing miniature.

Variety name.--Firefall.

Flowers borne: Several together (3 to 5 or more) on slender, wirey, quite thorny, stems arising from canes of previous season's growth and on tips and laterals of current season's growth.

Quantity of bloom: Abundant outside.

Bud:

Peduncle.--Medium length; slender but sturdy; erect; medium to light green (bronzy on side of stem exposed to sun); hairs -- some hairs.

Before calyx breaks; size.--Small. Form short; pointed with several short hairs and several small foliaceous appendages on surface of bud; with foliaceous parts extending beyond the tip of the bud equal to less than 1/2 of its length. Color -- medium green to bronzy.

As calyx breaks, color.--Medium dark red. Opening: opens well in all weather.

Bloom:

Size when fully open.--Small, averaging about 40 mm (11/2") or smaller.

Petalage.--Double -- averaging up to 50 in early part of season and as few as 25-30 in fall, arranged regularly plus sometimes several petaloids.

Form.--Cupped at first, becoming more flat, and later at maturity open with petals remaining in similar shape and position. Open flowers may show stamens.

Petals: Fairly thick; satiny on inside and on outside surface.

Shape.--Outside petals, broad lanceolate with rounded tip; intermediate -- broad lanceolate with rounded tip; inside -- lanceolate with acute or rounded tip.

Color: Newly opened flower from a plant grown outdoors.

Outside petal.--Outside surface -- near Chrysanthemum Crimson 824/2 with both lighter and darker areas becoming near white at base. Inside surface -- near Chrysanthemum Crimson 824 with both lighter and darker areas and small near white area at base.

Intermediate petal.--Outside surface -- similar to outside. Inside surface -- similar to outside petal.

Inner petal.--Outside surface -- same as intermediate petal; inside surface -- same as intermediate petal. NOTE: Colors above observed on samples taken end of October; spring flowers may be slightly lighter red and of brighter hue. General color effect; newly opened flowers -- color medium to dark red. Three days open -- color similar to newly opened flowers. Behavior -- opens well in all weather. Spent petals drop off. Flower longevity (May 1979) -- plant in large pot 5-10 days or longer. Cut flowers at living room temperature 4-6 days.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens.--Few to several, arranged regularly about pistils.

Filaments.--Varying length, medium to short, yellow.

Anthers.--Usually well formed; yellow.

Pollen.--None.

Pistils.--Average number.

Styles.--Fairly even; short length; bunched; color -- whitish.

Ovaries.--All enclosed in calyx.

Hips.--None.

Sepals.--Permanent; spear shaped; recurved.

Seed.--None.

Foliage:

Leaves.--Compound of seven leaflets; quite small; leathery; very glossy.

Leaflets.--Shape: broad lanceolate; nearly oval; apex acute; base rounded. Margin serrate. Color: medium green; new growth -- normal (medium) green. Rachis: medium strength; upper side may have few tiny short hairs, grooved; underside -- several short thorns. Stipules: medium long; medium width; short length; narrow points which turn out usually at about 45 degrees.

Growth:

Habit.--Much branched, spreading (rambler).

Growth.--Free vigorous; internodes short.

Canes.--Slender.

Main stems.--Color: medium green (bronzed on side exposed to sun).

Thorns.--Many; slender; hooked slightly downward; color -- gray. Prickles/hairs -- usually none.

Branches.--Color: Light to medium green. Thorns: numerous; medium length; slender; hooked slightly downward. Short oval base. Prickles/hairs -- usually none.

Young shoots.--Color: light to medium green. Thorns: numerous, slender; inclined slightly downward; color -- reddish.

The climbing miniature rose plant and its flowers as herein described may vary in slight detail due to climatic, soil and cultural conditions under which the variety may be grown; the present description being of the variety as grown at Visalia, Calif. The following is claimed: 

1. A new and distinct variety of climbing miniature rose plant of hardy, spreading, much branched habit (rambler type), substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by flowers which are of a general deep red color, the buds and flowers resembling Orange Triumph (polyantha -- not patented) in general shape but of smaller size, with an abundance of small glossy foliage; and further characterized by (A) ease of propagation by cuttings or by budding; the suppleness of the canes which leads this variety to use as a ground cover or (by budding) as a weeping standard (tree), and (B) the abundance of flowers borne, usually in clusters. 